Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-12-23
lCeurier-Jo -Jonrnal.l

W 'f'R 1885,
said to have written over seven
thousand hymns, more than three
thousand of which have been print
ed. The total number OF hymns
written by De. Watts number only
6o7. Many Of The hymns of Char
les Wesley are of the highest order
of excellence, and will be sung as
long as the English language is
spoken.
OF course the large port of his
sacred lyrics are necessarily for
gotten. Bat those which by CON-
mon consent have kept their place
foo one hundred years in the songs
OF the sanctuary have been treas
ured as tmong the choicest ex-
pressions of religious feryor and
devotion. At all events, aside
from the English Protestant Church
throughout the world, where the
hymns OF Charles Wesley hold
prominent places, they are most
warmly cherished by the millions
of Metbodlsts VINO regard his
memory with such affectiouate ad'
miration.
His frat hymn WAS written when
he was tTenty.seven years old:
"Whea midnight shades the earth
o'erspread."
Two years later the brothers pub
lished a Volume entitled "Hymos
and Sacred POEMS" fifty OF which
were written by Charles. Among
these are the familiar hymns be-
ginning:
"Chriss tho Lord has risen to-day
"Hail the day that sees Him rise"
"Hark the herald angels sing"
Tho following year the two
brothers, with a friend, were hold
ing one of their twilight meetings
upon the common, when they we're
assaiied by a mob. They were
pslted with stones and other mis-
siles, and compelled to fee for their
lives. After nightfall they hid
themselves in a sprlng.house, where
tbev washed. struck a light and
drank from the cooling waters
bubblng arouhd them. Charles
took a pencil from his pocket and,
IN tho excitement Of the occasion,
overfowing with gratitude for their
deliverance from danger and secure
refuge, wrote that matchless hymn
which made his fame immortal:
Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to thy bosom fly;
While the billOws near me roll,
While tho tempest still is high,
Hide me, o 10Y Seviouf, hide,
Till the storm Of life IL past,
Safe into the haven guide,
Oh, receive my soul at last.
Probably no sacred hymn had a
wider popularity or elected more
unqualified praise than this. For
more taan a century it hao been
sung in cottage and palace, in the
modest Westinghouse and lofty
cathedral, in white.Vinged ships
on distant oceans, by millions OF
dying beds, at tho freside, aud in
mission lands, always bringing rest
and consolation. Its exquisite
sentiment, Dure devotion, absorb
ing truss. child.like faith and glow
ing lovo, breathes in every line
Christ az a refuge is the primal
thought.
Other refuCo have mona,
Hangs m7 helpless soul on Thee
Lava. and leave me not alone,
Ct,II a,,ppnrt and comfort me.
an my trust on Thee is stayed
All mg help from Thee | bring;
Cover my deienceless head
With the shadow Of Thy wing.
Tho largest part Of Wesley's
hymns we're written in the midst OF
royivala, and many OF them bear
testimony to tho intense earnest
ness OF his mind and heart. They
are filled with visions Of repentance
forgiveness. faith, hope, praise
RE song because, like the birds, HI
could not hslp it. Prose failed tC
EXPRESS the tender outpourings o
! his nature. They must have ven
in song. Heuce we have hymns o
faith, of thanksgiving, OF worship
devotion, humility, conservation
alteration and joyous hosannas.-
Among the best.known OF bis song
NAV be mentioned
aComc, thou almighty king
"Lo on 4 narrow neck OF land.
"Blow We the trumphet, blow"
Glove divine, all love cxcelling."
"come. let MS JON our friends above"
ooh. for a thousand tongues to sing"
nCome let us anew our Journey pursue
II would be impossible here t
name but a small number Of Yves
ley's hymns, which are found Il
almost every church collection
Next to DR.. Watts, he Is perhap
the best beloved OF sacred son
writer's.
When he was sixty.three year
of age Mrs. Gumley, the aunt {
Lady Robert Manners, presente
TO Mr.. and Mrs. Wesley a twent
years lease of her beautiful home
richly furnished, in London.
was in Chesterfield street, near X